The Weber State Wildcats (20-10, 13-5 BigSky) challenge the Northern Colorado Bears (21-11, 12-7 BigSky) in the Big Sky Conference Tourney at Reno Events Center. The game begins at 5:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Northern Colorado Bears vs. Weber State Wildcats ATS Prediction
In the Bears’ last matchup, they thoroughly outplayed the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, 82-59. The Bears, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.2, had a fantastic mark of 35.9, while the Lumberjacks had a turnover percentage of 23.8 (above their season average of 19.1). Northern Colorado was lifted by Jonah Radebaugh, who contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Wildcats won a close one over the Montana State Bobcats in their last contest, 95-92. The Wildcats knocked down 32 of their 39 free throws (82.1 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 10.4 (better than their season average of 15.8). Jerrick Harding was the top scorer from either team with 46 points on 13-for-26 shooting.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the productive offense of Weber State (47th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 112.9) takes on the stingy defense of Northern Colorado (58th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 99.2). Ball security should be an advantage for the Bears. They rank 55th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.8 percent), while the Wildcats force the 73rd-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.0 percent).
Northern Colorado comes into the contest with records of 21-11 straight up (SU) and 18-10-1 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Bears tend to finish over the O/U total (55.2 percent).
Meanwhile, Weber State owns records of 20-10 SU and 14-11 ATS. A little over half of Wildcats games have finished over the total.
The Wildcats have won both contests against the Bears this season, including a five-point victory the last time these teams met. Weber State covered as a 3-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 137 points, which was 14.5 points below the projected point total of 151.5 points. Weber State had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.468 vs. 0.356). Northern Colorado, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (37.3 vs. 10.5). Zach Braxton recorded a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds.
Northern Colorado Bears vs. Weber State Wildcats Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Northern Colorado, ATS Winner – Northern Colorado, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Weber State ranks 112th in assists per game (14.2) while Northern Colorado ranks 241st (11.8).
The Bears rank 35th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while the Wildcats rank 101st (5.9).
Northern Colorado averages 37.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 72nd in the NCAA. Weber State ranks 129th in rebounds allowed per game (34.3).
The Bears lead the nation with 14.9 three pointers allowed per game while the Wildcats are 47th with 19.5 three pointers allowed per game.
Weber State is eighth in the NCAA with 2.2 blocks allowed per game while Northern Colorado is 42nd with 2.7 blocks allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Northern Colorado is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Weber State is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.8, up from 7.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 73.4 points per game (5.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.6 points per game (6.1 above their season average).
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